The following individuals also contributed to this book.

Mike Brown (Chapters 5 and 6) is a Senior SDDC Integration Architect in VMware's Integrated Systems Business Unit. He currently focuses on Architecture and Design for the core vSphere, Networking, and NSX components of the VMware Validated Designs.

Mike is a double VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX #71) in Datacenter and Network Virtualization. He also holds many other industry certifications. He has been awarded the VMware vExpert award each year since 2011.

Mike has been working in IT since 1997 where he worked for a small VAR. Since then he has worked both in a customer environment and also as a consultant for a few local companies before joining VMware's Professional Services team in 2012. Since joining VMware, Mike spent two years as a Senior Consultant before moving into the vCloud Suite Technical Marketing Team where he spent another two years before moving into the VMware Validated Design Architect's team.

Mike lives in Houston, Texas with his amazing wife, Courtney, and five children Brycen (11), Brennan (9), Bronson (6), Joy (3), and Joss (1).

G. Blair Fritz (Chapters 3, 4, and 8) is a SDDC Integration Architect in VMware's Integrated Systems Business Unit, alongside Mike, Ryan, and Nick, where he currently focuses on Architecture and Design for the core vSphere, Operation Management (including vRealize Operations and vRealize Log Insight), and Lifecycle Management of the VMware Validated Designs and VMware Cloud Foundation.

Blair has been working in IT since 2003 where he started his adventures by working at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Since then, he's had over 15 years of experience as a support engineer and technologist, ranging from systems engineer, staff escalation engineer, technical lead, and solutions architect roles.

Blair lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wonderful wife, Jenny, and their two dogs, Theo and Olive. When he isn't working, you'll likely find him bike riding, playing tennis, or playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Ryan Johnson (Chapters 11, 12, and 14) is a Senior Solutions Architect in the Integrated Systems Business Unit at VMware where he is an architect, author, and product owner for both the VMware Validated Designs and VMware Cloud Foundation.

Ryan has over 23 years of experience as a technologist, ranging from systems engineer, enterprise architect, and solutions architect roles.

Ryan lives in Tallahassee, Florida with his incredibly patient wife, Darcie, and their two creative boys, Nolan and Parker. You are likely to find him on one of many nearby trails.